Results 2,801-2,820 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Law Cases (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 11 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 provides that either parent of a child, whether or not he or she is also a guardian of the child, may apply to court for a direction regarding access to the child. A court may also make an order under section 11 when granting a judicial separation or divorce. Section 3 of the 1964 Act provides that the best interests of the child shall be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Information and Communications Technology (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: There was no additional cost in upgrading ICT systems and databases in my Department to facilitate the use of Eircodes. The work was carried out by staff in my Department's ICT Division as part of routine updates.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders. The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to providing investment in CCTV systems and that I have secured €1 million in Budget 2017 to begin a new round of community CCTV...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Services Regulatory Authority (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) was formally established on 3 April 2012, pursuant to the provisions of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011. Details of the income and expenditure figures of the Authority per annum for the categories requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table. The Property Services Compensation Fund, which exists in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status Applications (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act 2015 was commenced on 31 December 2016. The Act provides for the introduction of a single procedure which enables all grounds for seeking international protection and permission to remain in the State for other reasons to be examined and determined in one process. The new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences Data (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the statistics requested by the Deputy and I will contact the Deputy directly upon receipt of the relevant information.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Funding (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that my Department accesses EU funds under a range of headings including the Internal Security Fund, the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund and the European Social Fund. The Deputy will appreciate that of each of the funding streams in question has an agreed set of priorities, objectives and parameters. Plans to access EU funding opportunities is being kept under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that no public funding was provided from my Department's Vote to trade unions or representative bodies during the period referred to by him.

Other Questions: Equality Policy (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act that creates an obligation on a public body to have regard to the need to promote equality was something I dealt with in the Seanad. I accepted an amendment because I thought it would a very useful power for the Irish Human Rights and Quality Commission to possess. In conversations with the chair of the body, she confirmed...

Other Questions: Equality Policy (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have been busy too.

Other Questions: Equality Policy (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: A number of other initiatives come under the positive duty to promote equality. Last week we launched the integration strategy which has been widely welcomed by groups working on integration around the country. It is important that we have a strong integration policy because if we do not we will build up problems for the future. It is a very comprehensive integration strategy. I...

Other Questions: Garda Operations (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We had a discussion on the points the Deputy made. We need to make sure that An Garda Síochána is resourced in a way that enables it to conduct effective policing in line with the best policing methods. As the Deputy said, that includes more resources. In his question the Deputy has described what he thinks is needed. There needs to be better use of mobile technology. We...

Other Questions: Garda Operations (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will make a particular inquiry regarding what the Deputy has mentioned. The investment we have provided so far has been used to provide the Garda with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars and motorcycles to ensure they can be mobile, visible and responsive. Some €46 million has been allocated under our capital plan for the Garda fleet for the next...

Other Questions: Garda Equipment (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is essential that we get to the point where gardaí have access not only to PULSE but to broader mobile technology solutions. It is essential. I have seen in other countries how police can access a whole range of information on their mobile phones. We must get to that point here. I knew when I became Minister that we needed this new investment. That is there and the issue is one...

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: GSOC is a very important body and Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring is the chairperson. I thank her and the other commissioners for their work. It is very important that we have confidence in its work and that An Garda Síochána has confidence in it too. That means the public will have confidence as they need to know that very important role is being carried out effectively and...

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The review is at a very early stage. I only met the judge a few weeks ago. However, it can be done in the short term and we can consider the various issues the Deputy raises. The legislation will go to pre-legislative scrutiny. I intend to take on board the various points the judge has made and which the justice committee discussed with her. I want to identify how we can move ahead...

Other Questions: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Certainly.

Other Questions: Road Safety (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: An Garda Síochána has announced that there will be a 10% increase in the traffic corps in the course of this year, which should greatly help with enforcement. At the meeting I referred to, An Garda Síochána said it was intended to have a stronger focus on road traffic enforcement in the training provided to new recruits at Templemore. This is important given that we are...

Other Questions: Industrial Relations (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Just a few days ago, in fact, I had a meeting with one of the Garda representative associations to discuss this important issue. The Government has made it clear that it is committed to introducing legislative change to give Garda associations the right of access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court. We are certainly not resiling from that commitment, as I assured the...

Other Questions: Industrial Relations (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is an issue about which there was much concern and discussion given the events of last year. It is one of the many complex issues that will have to be considered carefully. It is critical that we have effective and robust mechanisms in place for industrial relations in An Garda Síochána. The question of a trade union is one of the key issues but there are a number of other...